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Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens

Does a noncitizen need a Social Security 

number (SSN)?

Unless you are a noncitizen who wants to work in the United 

States, you probably don’t need an SSN.

Generally, only noncitizens authorized to work in the United 

States by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can 

get an SSN. SSNs are used to report a person’s wages to the 

government and to determine that person’s eligibility for Social 

Security benefits. You need an SSN to work, collect Social 

Security benefits, and receive other government services.

Lawfully admitted noncitizens can get many benefits and 

services without an SSN. You don’t need an SSN to get a 

driver’s license, register for school, get private health insurance, 

or apply for school lunch programs or subsidized housing.

Some organizations use SSNs to identify you in their records. 

Most, however, will identify you by some other means if you 

request it.

We can’t assign an SSN solely for you to get a driver’s license 

or access a service that requires a credit check.

Although many companies, such as banks and credit 

companies, may ask for your SSN, you generally aren’t 

required to provide one if you don’t have one.

How can I get an SSN and card?

If you are an immigrant, you can apply two ways:

• You can apply in your home country before coming to the

United States when filing an application for an immigrant

visa with the U.S. Department of State. In most cases,

if you apply for an SSN and card with your immigrant

visa application, you don’t have to visit a Social Security

office in the United States. (For more information, see

www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa).

• If you are lawfully present in the United States, you must

contact your local Social Security office. See the section

below for what you need to submit to the Social Security

office.

If you are a nonimmigrant, there are two ways that you can 

apply, depending on your visa status:

• If lawfully present in the United States and applying

for work authorization or permanent resident status

from DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

(USCIS), you can apply for your SSN or replacement

card. This can be done on the same USCIS application

Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization),

or via Form I-485 (Application for Lawful Permanent

Residency or to Adjust Status). (For more information, see 

www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/ebe.html).

• If lawfully present in the United States and your visa status

allows you to work, then you must contact your local Social

Security office to apply.

What do I need to submit to the Social 

Security office?

You need to prove your identity and workauthorized immigration status.

To prove your identity and work-authorized immigration 

status, show us your current U.S. immigration documents 

and your unexpired foreign passport. Acceptable immigration 

documents include your:

• Form I-551 (Lawful Permanent Resident Card, MachineReadable Immigrant Visa).

• Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).

• Form I-766 (Employment Authorization Document/EAD).

• Admission stamp showing a class of admission permitting

work.

Exchange visitors: If you’re a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor, 

we also need to see your DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility 

for Exchange Visitor Status or EAD. If you are a J-1 student, 

student intern, or international visitor, you must provide a letter 

from your sponsor. The letter should be on sponsor letterhead 

with an original signature that authorizes your employment.

International students: If you’re an F-1 or M-1 student, 

we need to see your Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for 

Nonimmigrant Student Status or Designated School Official 

(DSO) letter. For information on other documents that students 

must provide, read International Students and Social Security 

Numbers (Publication No. 05-10181).

You need to prove your age.

You must present your foreign birth certificate if you have it 

or can get it within 10 business days. If not, we can consider 

other documents, such as your unexpired passport or a 

document issued by DHS, as evidence of your age.

You need to complete an application.

You will need to complete an Application for a Social Security 

Card (Form SS-5).

Important: All documents must be either originals or copies 

certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies 

or notarized copies of documents. We also cannot accept a 

receipt showing you applied for the document.

SSA.gov Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens
We may use one document for two purposes. For example, 

we may use your DHS EAD as proof of both your identity 

and work-authorized immigration status. Your birth certificate 

or passport may serve as proof of age. However, you must 

provide at least two separate documents.

When should I apply?

If you cannot apply using one of the forms noted above, we 

recommend you wait 10 days after arriving in the United States 

to apply for an SSN. This will make it easier for us to verify your 

DHS documents online. This will speed up the processing of 

your SSN application.

We will mail your SSN card as soon as we have all of your 

information and have verified your documents with the issuing 

offices.

How much does applying for an SSN 

and card cost?

Applying for an SSN and card is free.

What if I need an SSN for reasons

other than work?

You may not be authorized by DHS to work in the United 

States. If so, you can get an SSN only if you can prove you 

need it for a valid nonwork reason.

Government benefits or services: If you do not have 

permission to work, you may apply for an SSN only if one of 

the following applies: 

• A federal law requires you to provide your SSN to get a

particular benefit or service.

• A state or local law requires you to provide your SSN to

get general assistance benefits for which you already have 

qualified.

Applicants for a nonwork SSN are required to provide proof of 

identity and age documents. Examples of the documents are 

listed below:

• Proofs of identity and age

— Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record).

— Form I-862 (Notice to Appear).

— Form I-385 (Alien Booking Record).

— Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) Certification

Letter.

— Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Certification 

Letter.

• Proofs of identity only

— Form I-220A (Order of Release on Recognizance).

NOTE: Form I-220A (Order of Release on Recognizance) 

does not meet Social Security requirements to serve as 

proof of age.

If you need an SSN to meet state or local requirements, 

in addition to the identity and age document, you must 

submit a letter from the government agency. It must be on 

letterhead stationery (no form letters or photocopies) and:

• Specifically identify you as the applicant.

• Specifically state the nonwork reason the SSN is required.

• Cite the law requiring you to have an SSN.

• Indicate that you meet all agency requirements, except

having the SSN.

• Contain an agency contact name, signature, and

telephone number.

Do you need a number for tax purposes?

You may not need an SSN for tax purposes if you aren’t 

authorized to work in the United States. You can apply for an

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the Internal 

Revenue Service (IRS). Visit the IRS in person, or call the IRS 

toll-free number, 1-800-TAXFORM (1-800-829-3676), and 

request Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer 

Identification Number.

A business or government agency may ask you for an SSN. If 

you are not authorized to work in the United States, ask if they 

can identify you in some other way. In most cases, you’ll be 

able to get the service or license you need without an SSN.

If you are assigned an SSN for nonwork purposes, you 

cannot use it to work.

Contacting Us

There are several ways to do business with us including 

online, by mail, by phone, and in person. If you cannot use our 

online services, we can help you by phone when you call our 

national toll-free 800 number.

If you don’t have access to the internet, we offer many 

automated services by telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a 

week, so you may not need to speak with a representative. 

Call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number, 

1-800-325-0778, if you’re deaf or hard of hearing. We provide

free interpreter services upon request. For quicker access to a

representative, try calling early in the day (between 8 a.m. and

10 a.m. local time) or later in the day. We are less busy later

in the week (Wednesday to Friday) and later in the month.

Social Security Administration

Publication No. 05-10096

April 2023 (Recycle prior editions)

Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens

Produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense